Cavaliers 104, 76ers 93: Tristan Thompson impresses in victory

By
Bob Finnan, The News-Herald & The Morning Journal

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

COLUMBUS — No one should be surprised at Tristan Thompson’s exploits.
But it’s still impressive to get 15 points and 16 rebounds in 28 minutes.
He helped the Cavaliers outclass the Philadelphia 76ers, 104-93, in preseason action on Monday before 11,276 at Value City Arena.
All the extra work after practice is paying off for the third-year forward. The 6-foot-9, 227-pounder added two blocks and two steals to his workmanlike effort.
“That’s a long, athletic team,” Cavs coach Mike Brown said. “For him to get 16 rebounds, that’s a great night. I’m excited about that.
“But in the same breath, with his athleticism, length and nose for the ball, it’s something he can do on numerous occasions.”
The other developing story for the Cavs (4-2) was the play of Alonzo Gee at small forward. He had 14 points and two blocks. More importantly, he drained 4 of 6 attempts from the 3-point line.
Free-agent acquisition Earl Clark was given the night off. The two players are taking turns making statements on who should start at the “3” spot.
“Prior to tonight, they were close statistically,” Brown said. “(Gee) played like a small forward should play. I’m going to keep looking at the different scenarios.
“It’s great to have healthy completion. I’m excited to have the depth we have.”
Brown said the two players are even.
He said he would keep evaluating the two players after the regular season starts.
The 6-6, 219-pound Gee is averaging 6.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in the four games he’s played. The 6-10, 225-pound Clark is averaging 5.4 points and 2.6 rebounds in his five games.
Rookie swingman Sergey Karasev was limited to 10 minutes. He sprained his left ankle and is day-to-day.
Guard Kyrie Irving paced the Cavs with 17 points and 12 assists.
Center Henry Sims made all six of his field-goal attempts for 14 points and five rebounds. The 6-10 center is shooting 68 percent from the field in the preseason, 80.9 percent in his last five games.
C.J. Miles, who made his first start at shooting guard, added 12 points.
Spencer Hawes and James Anderson each had 17 points for the Sixers (2-4).
The Cavs held the 76ers to 35.2 percent shooting from the field. It was the third time this preseason the Cavs have held their opponent under 40 percent.
No. 6 pick sidelined
Sixers coach Brett Brown said it’s possible rookie center Nerlens Noel will miss the entire season.
“Everybody doubts that he’s going to play this year,” he said.
Brown said the 6-11, 228-pounder from Kentucky is learning what it takes to become an NBA player.
“It’s a classroom,” he said. “We don’t want to waste this year. I think from a skill perspective, it’s an opportunity for us to break down his shot, really work on his free throws and start a little bit from ground zero.”
There were rumors, at least early on, the Cavs were interested in Noel with the No. 1 pick. They selected Anthony Bennett instead. Perhaps now we know why.
Maybe they didn’t want to wait on Noel, who went No. 6 overall to the Sixers.
The Sixers coach said it’s not 100 percent that Noel will sit out the entire season.
“I think it’s been a work in progress and a decision I thought was going to be made,” he said. “Nobody ever said to me this is a definite. I think everybody’s expecting it to be a definite decision.”Quick shots
-- Sixers guard Evan Turner, national player of the year at Ohio State in 2010, brought the entire Philadelphia team to his home in Columbus for dinner on Sunday. “From a human standpoint, we want him to do well tonight,” Brett Brown said. Turner finished with 14 points and six rebounds.
-- Mike Brown decided to rest Clark and guard Dion Waiters in Monday’s game. Miles made his first start at shooting guard in the preseason. Gee started at small forward.
-- Hawes’ uncle, former NBA center Steve, was a second-round pick of the Cavs in 1972.
-- Both Brett and Mike Brown are disciples from the Gregg Popovich tree in San Antonio. “I will not tell any stories as long as he doesn’t,” Brett joked. “We’re all proud of our roots. It stems from Pop. It stems from R.C (Buford). It stems from Peter (Holt). The three of them have just built something extraordinarily special. It’s the benchmark of NBA programs.”
-- The D-League Canton Charge filled out the rest of Coach Steve Hetzel’s staff on Monday by hiring Jordi Fernandez and Nate Reinking.